Why Thailand if Malaysia is so much easier and nicer

[Juntaa]

Please can someone explain to me why anyone would chose to live or spend their holiday in Thailand compared to Malaysia? I am currently traveling through SE Asia and spent enough time in both countries to be able to compare the pros and cons of living and holidaying in both of them.

 

Malaysia

 

.) 90 days visa free stay. Visa run to neighbouring countries possible with another 90 days extension thereafter

.) No ATM fees

.) EVERYONE speaks English (for me personally the greatest of all benefits)

.) Food, beverages, literally everything has English description

.) Same prices for locals and foreigners, no "farang prices"

.) Same food portions for locals and foreigners, no "farang portions"

.) Food in general is DELICIOUS and comes in all variations (Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Indonesian). Admittedly the only meal I do miss here is Mango sticky rice

.) People seem more genuine, friendly and willing to help foreigners, answer questions. Willing to interact with foreigners (I guess due to being able to communicate in English)

.) Sandy beaches are less frequent than in Thailand but still easy to reach, see Langkawi or other islands

.) Shopping malls, cinemas, supermarkets etc are as shiny and humongous as in Thailand

.) Price level comparable to Thailand or cheaper. Although Malaysia's GDP per capita stands at 9,502 USD, compared to Thailand's 5,907 USD - this source here says Bangkok is overall 21% more expensive than Kuala Lumpur https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/comparison/kuala-lumpur/bangkok

 

I am not going to list the benefits of Thailand as I can't think of any right now except the promiscuity of Thai ladies and perhaps being able to drink alcohol in public places. Also I'd like the Thaivisa community to give some input which country in their opinion wins the race and why.

If anyone is wondering why I started this topic: pure curiosity!

Edited January 27, 2018 by Juntaa

[StreetCowboy]

I find all day drinking easier in KL than in Thailand, with its recently-introduced quaint and archaic restrictions on afternoon drinking.

 

Thailand has some cooler weather and some hotter weather and some drier weather.

[cyril sneer]

because Islam

[Juntaa]

52 minutes ago, cyril sneer said:

because Islam

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

[janclaes47]

The grass is always greener at the other side of the fence

[theguyfromanotherforum]

I doubt you can live on 90 day extensions forever, but correct me if I'm wrong.

[Jingthing]

I would have considered Malaysia but their retirement visa financial requirements are much higher than Thailand. 

[Jingthing]

26 minutes ago, Juntaa said:

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

That comment was likely offered without good intent, but it's a fact that the dominant religion of a country has a major impact on the overall culture. You could say similar things about the Philippines where the Catholic religion is so dominant. The Philippines would be very different if it was mostly Buddhist, Malaysia would be very different if it was mostly Hindu, and Thailand would be very different if it was mostly Jewish.

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

I worked a couple of year in different parts of Malaysia and never felt truly welcome. There is this underlying segregation between the Malay, Chinese-Malay and Indian-Malay everywhere you go.

 

Thailand feel more like home to me. 

[Jingthing]

I worked a couple of year in different parts of Malaysia and never felt truly welcome. There is this underlying segregation between the Malay, Chinese-Malay and Indian-Malay everywhere you go.

 

Thailand feel more like home to me. 

That's interesting. My impression is that Malaysia is more orderly in a way westerners might feel is like home as it was a British colony before. Yes there is segregation in Malaysia and western countries as well. On the cultural thing a lot of expats choose Penang which is of course much more Chinese Buddhist than other parts of the country.

 

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, Juntaa said:

Sad. I will ignore this comment.

Not sure why you would ignore that comment.

Islam means no hookers, high alcohol prices and no pork.

Beer in KL costs more than in the UK.

 

I could live without the hookers, but I insist on bacon for breakfast and a beer with dinner.

(not that keen on lamb or goat)

Edited January 27, 2018 by MaeJoMTB

[poanoi]

if there are BiG C comparable to thailand,
then the only remaining question beside the ever present visa hassle is:
do they have go-go i can sit and get drunk in every day ?

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

I doubt you can live on 90 day extensions forever, but correct me if I'm wrong.

Rumor has it a POTY was trying to move there but were surprised when told they didn't have enough money. KUL are generous on the entry VISA of 90 days (I get that when I'm waiting 6 hrs for a through flight), but staying there LT is probably much harder.

Philippines you can arrive and stay 3 years without leaving, no finance checks at all.

Edited January 27, 2018 by MaeJoMTB

[StreetCowboy]

27 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Not sure why you would ignore that comment.

Islam means no hookers, high alcohol prices and no pork.

Beer in KL costs more than in the UK.

 

I could live without the hookers, but I insist on bacon for breakfast and a beer with dinner.

(not that keen on lamb or goat)

You must believe in a different Islam to me if you believe it means no hookers in KL or Dubai.  Bacon butties can be had in most pubs in KL for breakfast with your locally brewed Guinness in most pubs from about 11 am, or roast pork and a bottle of Tiger in the Chines can’t fee shops, if you are an early riser.

[StreetCowboy]

25 minutes ago, poanoi said:

if there are BiG C comparable to thailand,
then the only remaining question beside the ever present visa hassle is:
do they have go-go i can sit and get drunk in every day ?

To the best of my knowledge, no go-go bars, but others may know better.

 

 

[Kwasaki]

OP my ans :- Don't like Muslim run countries.

[StreetCowboy]

13 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

OP my ans :- Don't like Muslim run countries.

So there we have it.  The main reason expressed why people preferred Thailand was their own prejudice against Muslim-run countries.  Alcohol is more expensive, and there are no ‘go-go’ bars.  Some people believe pork and hookers are hard to find, but I can assure you their faith would be sorely tested in KL.

[Juntaa]

25 minutes ago, StreetCowboy said:

So there we have it.  The main reason expressed why people preferred Thailand was their own prejudice against Muslim-run countries.  Alcohol is more expensive, and there are no ‘go-go’ bars.  Some people believe pork and hookers are hard to find, but I can assure you their faith would be sorely tested in KL.

That was my theory as well. After all our sex drive is the dominant force, Mother Nature compels men to thrive for reproduction. If only she knew how much we have refined that process.
As to alcohol and bacon, I'm not sure but I may have had pork at one of the countless Chinese places in Penang. I didn't miss it yet, but then again I always preferred lamb to pork. Beer is more expensive yes but can still be bought at every 7-11.

[Jingthing]

The vibe is definitely different Muslim stuff regardless. Different tastes. No right or wrong answer on this.

Sent from my [device_name] using http://Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[StreetCowboy]

I believe cycling in downtown KL is probably more pleasant than Bangkok, and also, I believe, in the suburbs.  That said, I would not recommend cycling through KL city centre on a week day.  I’ve never cycled in Bangkok, so cannot be sure, and I am surprised by the number of cyclists I see there

[HampiK]

The Muslim country is a problem, as for example in KL you will sometimes wake up 4 clock morning because of the praying.

I am surprised, that you not mention this behavior as this was the main problem for me in this country!

[sirineou]

 Do they have a shuttle from Malaysia to all the things I like to do in Thailand? and how is the commute?  

[StreetCowboy]

2 minutes ago, HampiK said:

The Muslim country is a problem, as for example in KL you will sometimes wake up 4 clock morning because of the praying.

I am surprised, that you not mention this behavior as this was the main problem for me in this country!

The first call to prayers is about 5 am, I think (not sure why not 0600 or so, one hour before sunrise).  In Malaysia we are lucky that sunrise is fairly consistent throughout the year.

 

I get more annoyed by the little boys revving their motor bikes and toy cars to impress the little girls outside the pubs across the road at 0200 or 0300, or the dreadful pub singers, slightly earlier in the evening.

 

This year’s NewYear’s Morning I was wakened by really the most outrageously loud thumpety-thump music at 0800; luckily it stopped before I could google “Where to buy a sniper’s rifle for delivery to my condo on a public holiday”.  I think they were just testing the system for the local church (across the road, upstairs from

one of the pubs) as they had a fete in the afternoon / early evening.  It was quite subdued, and the Paramilitary Private Parking Wardens kept the traffic flowing

[poanoi]

2 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

Rumor has it a POTY was trying to move there but were surprised when told they didn't have enough money. KUL are generous on the entry VISA of 90 days (I get that when I'm waiting 6 hrs for a through flight), but staying there LT is probably much harder.

Philippines you can arrive and stay 3 years without leaving, no finance checks at all.

wow ! but, whats the catch ?

is it shit quality all over the place or what ?

[Juntaa]

19 minutes ago, HampiK said:

The Muslim country is a problem, as for example in KL you will sometimes wake up 4 clock morning because of the praying.

I am surprised, that you not mention this behavior as this was the main problem for me in this country!

Not at all. I stayed in Malacca, KL and Penang and in neither of the cities I had an issue with the praying. In Malacca the mosque was just down the road and I may be wrong but they didn't do any (noticeable) morning praying. Maybe because it was a tourist area. In KL I stayed in a nice apartment and a mosque was nowhere to be seen. When renting a property one can always check out the area beforehand. Generally speaking I am very oblivious to mosques here.

[grollies]

6 hours ago, Juntaa said:

Please can someone explain to me why anyone would chose to live or spend their holiday in Thailand compared to Malaysia?

Er, because my wife is Thai, because our house is here, because my dogs are here and because all my clothes are here.

 

Maybe if my wife was Malay then I'd live there or, hang on, if she was Filipino we'd live there or, hang on, if she was American we'd live there or, hang on, if she was Nigerian we'd.....ok, you got me there, I would not live in Nigeria...

[StreetCowboy]

14 minutes ago, Juntaa said:

Not at all. I stayed in Malacca, KL and Penang and in neither of the cities I had an issue with the praying. In Malacca the mosque was just down the road and I may be wrong but they didn't do any (noticeable) morning praying. Maybe because it was a tourist area. In KL I stayed in a nice apartment and a mosque was nowhere to be seen. When renting a property one can always check out the area beforehand. Generally speaking I am very oblivious to mosques here.

It also depends on whether you sleep with the windows open.  If the noise really bothered me, I could close the windows and run the AC.

 

 

[grollies]

1 hour ago, Juntaa said:

That was my theory as well. After all our sex drive is the dominant force, Mother Nature compels men to thrive for reproduction. If only she knew how much we have refined that process.
As to alcohol and bacon, I'm not sure but I may have had pork at one of the countless Chinese places in Penang. I didn't miss it yet, but then again I always preferred lamb to pork. Beer is more expensive yes but can still be bought at every 7-11.

You buy your beer from 7-11?

[StreetCowboy]

1 minute ago, grollies said:

You buy your beer from 7-11?

Needs must, when the devil drives.  The supermarket (which is at least 2 ringgit / can cheaper) closes at 10 pm sharp.

[tonray]

Having lived and worked in KL, Penang and Ipoh:

 

Everyone does NOT speak English. A significant % of the population cannot communicate in English (perhaps you only spent time in tourist streets in KL)

 

The MysecondHome retirement Visa is much more complex and has greater financial requirements than those of Thailand

 

Rents are about 25 to 40 % higher in most cities

 

KL is a nice place granted and has a sense of order that Thailand never seems to get but it is not easier for long term expats to stay there simply for financial requirements and using 90 day entries will not get you far as the government has strict policies about long term 'players' abusing the system.